Nameless

Chapter 5: Pain, aka Consequences

(Pic of Reese Witherspoon – Ms Rachel Ashcroft – above and a banger by The Cab)

"Ow!" I moaned as Sasha dabbed the purpling patch accentuating my pale skin with a thick layer of foundation. "You're doing this on purpose!" I exclaimed harshly, recoiling from her touch, as she dabbed slightly harder against my cheek.

"Hold still!" She reprimanded pulling my face closer and failing miserably to hide her smirk.

After coming home last night I had expected world war three to break out but was pleasantly surprised at how understanding everyone had been. It turned out that after breaking her nose, Ruby had been taken to the nurse, Sasha, to be assessed and had dammed me to hell so many times that even Sasha wanted to knock her unconscious. Thus, instead of being locked up like a modern day Rapunzel, I'd just been grounded for two extra weeks and given an endless list of inhumane chores to be completed before that time - mainly for Matt and Freddie's amusement.

"There. That's not so bad," the woman in front of me remarked unconvincingly. "Maybe you could wear a really big pair of sunglasses?"

Turning to face the mirror, I sighed dejectedly at the pathetic sight before me. No amount of makeup could disguise the dark sleep-deprived hues circling my eyes or my red, lens-irritated corneas; my only saving grace was that the swelling around my cheek had become practically non-existent making my face look semi-normal.

"If you leave your hair down and add a little more concealer around your eyes I think we can draw attention from them but that bruise isn't going anywhere."

"Never mind, I guess I'll just have to embrace my battle scars," I laughed humourlessly as Sasha set to work again.

*~~~~~*

An hour later I was greeted by subtle nods of appreciation and brief looks of fear as the hallway parted before me. Despite my shabby appearance, I soon found myself holding my head high as I made my way to my locker to retrieve my first period books.

"Hey," Jace greeted dropping his bags beside me and falling back against the wall of lockers, releasing a large sigh with which I could definitely empathise. "I really hate morning practice!"

I smirked at his tired appearance as I pulled out my English textbook and copy of The Handmaid's Tale.

"At least someone looks as bad as me."

Jace turned his head towards me, finally taking note of the damage yesterday's fight had caused me. I felt my sore skin heat up as he absorbed every inch of my face as if taking a mental picture of the position of every dimple, freckle or eyelash.

"Nope, I don't think I've ever looked that beautiful this early in the morning," he replied with a genuine smile.

I felt my blush deepen further and was powerless to the coy smile that spread across my face.

"And I'm sure you'll be happy to know that Ruby doesn't wear bruises anywhere near as well as you!" He added causing a laugh to bubble out of my already parted lips.

"God, I love that sound!" He smiled in reference to my laugh causing more chuckles to escape me.

"Someone is very complimentary today!"

"Ah, I can't help it, when I'm tired it's like my mouth has a mind of its own! Literally no filter!"

Closing my locker, I led us towards our homeroom and settled down at my desk just before the tardy bell rang throughout the school. Noticing that the desk in front of me was empty, I glanced around the room trying to spot the evil brunette that usually sat before me. Just as I was about to go about my own business, a loud knock caused a hush to sweep around the room and students to quickly but subtly stash their phones out of site.